Returning to the labor market is very complicated, laments a 70-year-old retiree who is asking political parties to find a way to facilitate the return to work of seniors.
In an interview with Qub radio on Wednesday, Michel Germain said he tried to return to work to teach one day a week. He ended up giving up because of much too complicated procedures.
“I’m not interested in working to go to work,” he said at the microphone of Philippe-Vincent Foisy.
“The system is made to hire people who make careers, not to hire retirees to work,” he lamented.
The Quebec Employers Council estimates that if Quebec had the same employment rate for 60-69 year olds as in Ontario, there would be between 75,000 and 90,000 more workers in the labor market.
Michel Germain proposes to offer seniors turnkey solutions: “I called that: the great seduction”.
He mentions in particular the proximity of the workplace and the aid that the government could provide in terms of transport or housing, if necessary.
“A school in Quebec, [une] Madame said to me: ”Sir, we’ll take you right away”. Yes but do you have accommodation in Quebec for me just for a year? I have a place in Montreal, I won’t leave it. I don’t have a car, I have to move my things to Quebec. Do you have something to carry me?”
Mr. Germain also reminds that if the seniors go back to work and they do not want to lose money.
“His tax rate should not be higher than the one he had when he was retired.”
He calls on political parties to tackle the labor shortage and put in place more incentives to convince retirees to return to work.
“I would like that to be convinced to let go of my retirement.”